Improvement in clasps for looping ladies  dresses



HENRIETTA H. COLE,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR LOOPING LADIES DRESSES.-

Specification formingpart ofLetters Patent N0. 52,822, dated February 27', 1866.

. ing its application to a ladys dress-skirt. Fig.

2 is an inverted plan view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the plane of the line a ar,

Eig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre-l sponding parts.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple article or device for looping up ladies dress-skirts, which shall possess the quality ot' holding the looped-up portion securely and at the same time without the least liability of tearing the goods.

My invention consists in the combination, with a suitable frame, of two plates or jaws closing down upon the ends of the frame, and so arranged that the goods can be quickly and easily inserted therein, and carrying two noses, or some equivalent therefor, for causin g the jaws to release their hold without difficulty whenever it may be desired to remove the device or to change its position upon the dress.

To enable others to understand my invention, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A designates a frame, which, in the present instance, is somewhat like a buckle-frame. It is slightly curved longitudinally-that is to say, the ends are bent somewhat toward each other.

B B designate the two jaws, and these are either hinged to or abut against a cross-bar, a, secured to opposite sides ot' the frame. The end of each jaw is grooved, as shown at b, Figs. 2 and B-that is to say, a semicircular or other shaped piece is cut out, and this is done to permit the goods to be more readily thrust into the jaws.

Gis a at spring, which is secured to the reverse side of the jaws B and to the crossbar a, and this has a tendency to always keep the outer ends or' the jaws pressed against the frame, but at the same time has sufficient elasticity to allow of the jaws being opened as far as necessary to release or insert the goods.

D D are two noses connected to or being a part 0i' the inner ends of the jaws B, and they project upward and constitute a lneans for opening thev jaws to release the hold'ot` the de'- vice, as well as a handle by which to readilyT hold the device in the hand. y

To apply the device, hold it with one hand by the noses D D and insert the goods in the jaws by taking it in the other hand, so that a portion will rest over the foreiinger. Thrust this through the groove or hole b. This action will crowd open the jaw sufficiently to permit the goods to get between it and the frame, when the iinger may be withdrawn and the goods will be held firmly. The goods are then inserted in the opposite jaw in a similar manT ner.

This is a very simple and handy device. It can be quickly applied, and it possesses the quality of holding the looped-up portionot the dress securely, and doing this without the least liability of its tearing the goods or being the canse of the goods tearing should the dress get accidently caught upon anything. Should this latter occur the goods would be drawn out of one of the jaws before tearing, as can be readily understood. The device may be made quite ornamental, and of any dedesired size, and out of any material-for instance, neatly made of gold or silver-thus providing a new style ot ornament for a ladys dress.

I do notlimit myself to the particular construction and arrangement ot' parts herein specified.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the jaws BIB with a frame, A, and spring O, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

2. The spring O, in combination with the jaws B B, cross-bar a, and frame Afsubstantially as described.

3. The noses D D, arranged in relation to each other and to the jaws A A'fsubstantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination with each other ot' the frame A, jaws B B, spring O,'11oses,D,and cross-bar a, as herein shown and deseribed.

The above specification of my invention' 

